Chapter 22: Shura's Reasoning

"Isis?" Piper asked. "You mean the terrorist group?"

"Nope." Carter gripped his sword tightly. "A goddess. One that my sister used to host. She's the Queen of the Egyptian Gods. This explains how she's fully mortal but can do magic. I don't know how, but she has the Blood of the Pharaohs."

Scarlet smirked. "Took you long enough."

"What did you do with my sister?" Carter growled. Percy could sense Carter's anger boiling up.

"Isis mentioned her a lot." Scarlet said. "But I know nothing about her. I'm here for personal business."

"Liar!" Carter snapped. "Sadie was still hosting Isis when she went missing. If anyone's gonna know anything about her, it's you. Tell me now, or I will force it out of you."

Scarlet smirked. "You are no match for me, Carter Kane."

"We'll see about that." Carter said as he rushed forward with his khopesh. The two exchanged blows as Percy and Piper watched in fascination. Spells and strikes were swung in a flurry.

Scarlet muttered a spell and Carter was hit by a fist of energy. He was sent flying but he transformed into a falcon for one quick second before transforming back into human, making a safe landing.

"I see." Scarlet said. "Your connection with Horus. It's weakening, isn't it?" Carter stayed silent to the question, which Scarlet assumed was him saying yes. "How long has it been since you last hosted Horus? His powers must be nothing but dying embers at this point inside of you."

"I don't need Horus to defeat you." Carter said. "My own powers are enough."

Scarlet smirked. "You've got like, what, five more Divine Words in you? After that, you'll burn up and you'll be powerless."

Carter grinned. "Like I said. It's enough." Carter rushed forward as he deflected bolts of energy from Scarlet. Scarlet then threw something at Carter, a small figurine.

The figurine grew and expanded into a life-sized, disfigured elephant. Carter ran straight into it as the shabti crumbled into nothing.

Carter groaned as he got up, to see Scarlet was already charging up another form of magic for him. "Ha-wi!" He rolled out of the way, but the blast still sent him flying a good few feet.

"Carter!" Piper tried getting up but the pain in her leg shot up and she collapsed back onto the ground. Percy felt so helpless. Carter was clearly no match for a goddess and Percy had no doubt that Piper or him were any match against Isis as well.

"You've defied me for the last time. All three of you will die." Scarlet snarled.

"Wait!" Percy shouted out. "A deal."

Scarlet stopped in her tracks and turned her head towards Percy. "What?"

It was Annabeth's favourite tactic. If beating them into a pulp doesn't work, then negotiate your way out of it.

"Let's make a deal." Percy said.

Scarlet glared at Percy. "Why would I need your help?"

"You want out, don't you?" Percy said as he shakily stood up. "You want out of this war."

Scarlet tensed and Percy knew he'd hit the spot. "When you asked for our help for the infiltration. And how you warned me not to go against Shura. You want me alive. You need me."

Scarlet stayed quiet as she continued to glare at Percy. "Perhaps it was Isis, still having some care for you demigods."

Percy shook his head. "Even so, you want this to end. So let's make a deal." As Scarlet turned her head, Percy saw something in her eyes. A spark of emotion, unfamiliar to him by Scarlet.

Hope.

"What are you proposing?" Scarlet asked.

"Get me to Shura." Percy said. "Alive. And I'll take care of the rest."

"Percy-" Piper warned but Percy held his hand up, silencing her.

"If you want out, I'm giving you an out right now. Take me to Shura, and you'll get your freedom." Percy said firmly.

Scarlet seemed to contemplate it in her head. If she wanted freedom, this was it. This was her chance. Percy knew she wanted it.

"No." Scarlet said coldly. "Ha-di!"

"Percy!" He heard Carter shout as he scrambled towards him. As the wave of energy flew towards Percy, time seemed to slow down. He could see Carter running towards him, Piper screaming his name. He could see Scarlet's sinister grin with the pure intent of killing him.

His death seemed imminent. As the spell travelled closer to Percy, he braced for impact.

There was an explosion of power with dust and dirt was sent flying around, but Percy was fine. He was relatively unharmed from the blast.

As the dust cleared, someone was standing in front of Percy between him and Scarlet. It could've been anyone with two silver hunting swords, but the auburn hair was unmistakable.

"These demigods are not yours to harm, Egyptian." Artemis warned with a steely tone. "Leave them alone."

"I prefer Khonsu to you, Greek." Scarlet hissed, although Percy was doubted it was actually her. It sounds like Isis was in the driving seat now. "Now move out of the way, or this will get ugly."

"Oh trust me." Artemis readied her swords. "I'm used to ugly."

Percy would have never thought in his lifetime he'd see two deities clash head to head in a 1v1 battle. He'd seen deities at war, of course, but that was like army against army. But a one-on-one battle was never seen before.

Artemis disappeared in a blur of silver flash, leaving a blast of wind behind her as she moved towards Scarlet at incredible speed. Scarlet was fighting at a pace that Percy had never thought was humanly possible until he realized that Isis was fully in control right now. It was no longer Artemis versus Scarlet/Isis. It was a full goddess-on-goddess fight between Artemis and Isis.

He could hear the clash of metal and bolts of energy around him. The ground exploded at certain spots around them at random as Artemis and Isis fought in a blur.

Maybe Percy was still too tired and weak, but the speed that Artemis and Isis were fighting was too fast for him to follow. There were sparks of fire to his left for one second, then a blast of energy farther to his right a second later.

It was an anime fight scene, if Percy had ever seen one.

"I- I can't see them." Piper said.

"They're fighting at godly speed." Carter explained as he made his way towards them. "There's nothing we can do other than watch."

"Can't we at least help?" Piper asked.

"We would be more of a hindrance than help." Percy said. "Besides, they're fighting with godly standards. We're just mortals. I doubt we could even keep up." Percy said.

The fight finally went into a stalemate when Isis was sent flying by Artemis, who had one sword in the air while the other aimed at Isis. Isis was bleeding all over the place after being cut by Artemis.

"You may be a goddess." Artemis huffed. "But you're still being hosted. You're weak." Artemis said. "I'll give you one last chance. Leave."

Isis knew she had no choice. She was no match for Artemis, at least not in her current form. "I'll have my revenge." Isis growled.

"I'll look forward to it." Artemis met her gaze. Isis glared one last time before she disappeared into the wind.

After Scarlet disappeared, the air around them shifted, as if something was being lifted around them.

"Isis' barrier." Carter said. "The one she used to conceal the area so that people don't know we've been fighting."

When the barrier was lifted, Percy could see a few people walking around. The closest to them was Thalia.

"There you guys are!" Thalia exclaimed in annoyance as she rolled her eyes. "Where have you-" She paused when she saw the situation that they were in. "Artemis? Carter? Uh, what happened?"

Line Break

Artemis gently put her hand on Reyna's forehead with an extremely worried look on her face. "She's weak, but she'll be fine in a week."

"It's my fault." Thalia said miserably. "I should've protected her."

"And you did." Artemis said. "If you hadn't been there, she would've been dead. So don't blame yourself. She knows the risk and so do you."

Thalia looked like she wanted to argue, but she just nodded.

"Now, let's exchange stories shall we?" Artemis said as all of them grabbed a seat. "What has been happening in the mortal world?"

"You don't know?" Thalia asked.

"I do know. But it's better to hear things from the perspective of those who were actually in it." Artemis said.

So Percy, Piper, Carter, and Thalia began to recount their tales in order. Since the last time they met, before the infiltration, up until now. It hadn't been that long since they'd seen her but considering what they've been through, it felt like a lifetime.

"I see. Shura, was it?" Artemis said. "I should smite him where he stands."

"The feeling's mutual, Milady." Thalia said. "But if we do that, they're going to make him a martyr. Then they'll do everything they can to kill all demigods to honor him."

"If I may, Milady." Carter said. His eyes widened in realization. "Oh, I mean Artemis. I mean, Lady Artemis. I mean-"

"Just Artemis, is fine." Artemis said with an amused smile. "I take it you've never encountered a goddess before?"

"I have." Carter said. "Just not a Greek one."

Artemis raised an eyebrow. She looked at Thalia for an answer. "He's Egyptian."

"I'm from Brooklyn, actually." Carter said. "But when it comes to the mythologies and all that, I'm on the Egyptian side."

"So the one I just fought, are you familiar with her?" Artemis asked.

The question seemed to hit a sore spot for Carter. "My sister used to host Isis." Carter said. "She went missing a year ago and I haven't heard from her since. If Isis is with another host, I'm assuming . . ." Carter shook his head. "I'll find her one day."

Artemis gave Carter a look of assurance. "I shall pray for your success, Carter. My Hunters consider you as a friend, so I shall consider you an ally."

"Thank you, Artemis." Carter said with a hint of relief.

"Now, back to the matter at hand." Artemis said. "I see that you've implied a . . . unique strategy to protect yourself."

"I'd call it more desperate than unique." Percy admitted. "But since Thalia and I are public enemy number one, everyone's gunning for us. They're after us and the masterbolt."

"Ah, speaking of which." Thalia held up her hand and showed her bracelet. "What do we do with it? I don't know how I feel about having a weapon of mass destruction dangling on my wrist. I think it's better if we give it to-"

"No." Artemis said.

Everyone stared at her. "What do you mean?"

"Keep it. It's safer here." Artemis said. "Zeus is in no condition to guard the masterbolt right now."

Thalia frowned. "Even then, surely it must return to Dad." Thalia said. "It's his symbol of power. Maybe he'll recover when he gets it back."

Artemis's expression changed for just a second before she composed herself. But Percy caught it.

It was a look of despair.

Something has happened on Olympus. Something that bad. Which is why Artemis and Hestia are the only ones capable of visiting them frequently.

But her tone suggests that now is not the time to talk about it. "Trust me, sister. It's safer with you. And I don't think Father will complain about his own daughter using it to save him."

Thalia looked doubtful, but she nodded. "I understand."

"As for Shura," Artemis turned towards Percy. "Do you have a plan?"

"I do." Percy said.

"He doesn't." Piper chimed in.

"I do have a plan."

"You barely have half a plan." Piper said. "Percy plans on meeting Shura and scolding him like a bad kid for him to stop being mean to demigods."

Percy rolled his eyes. "When you put it like that, of course it sounds stupid."

"It's still the same idea."

"And?" Artemis asked. "After you've convinced him?"

"Happily ever after for us." Percy said.

"And what if he says no?"

Percy was silent for a moment. "Okay I haven't really gotten to that part yet."

Artemis rolled her eyes. "I see your point." She said to Piper. "I'll assist you then. After this, we will-"

"That won't be necessary." A voice said behind them.

Usually, when there's an unfamiliar voice among them, Percy would be the first to draw his sword and scan for any potential threats.

But for some reason, this voice made him freeze. It's like somebody had grabbed his spine with an icy hand. The voice had a certain tone to it. It was as if to say, 'shit just went down'.

Percy turned around to see Shura's smirking face looking at him as he leaned on the door frame.

"Shura." Percy steeled his nerves as he stood up. "I see Isis was fast to report to you."

Shura laughed without humor. "So you knew?"

"What did you do to my sister?" Carter growled.

Shura raised an eyebrow. "I believe I've never met your sister, Carter Kane." Shura said. "Sadie, was it?"

"If you haven't met her, then you shouldn't have known her name."

Shura smirked. "Isis has told me a lot of things about you and your sister." Shura explained. "But I have no recollection of ever meeting her."

"You little-"

"Carter." Percy held him back as Carter started to advance. "Calm down."

Carter looked like he wanted to argue, but he recomposed herself. Artemis then stepped forward. "I see that you're the reason for this predicament we're in."

"Predicament?" Shura smiled. "Oh, I wouldn't call it a predicament. More like . . . reevaluation of human nature."

"Oh?" Artemis crossed her arms. "And what's your final verdict of that human nature?"

"We're imperfect beings." Shura said. The fact that he's unfazed by Artemis' presence is mind-boggling to Percy. Even as a mortal, the presence of a goddess should be noticeable. "We have more room to grow. More room to evolve. And to do that, we need to do a few . . . experiments."

"And so you capture our friends." Thalia growled. "And turn them into your guinea pigs."

"All necessary for the step of human evolution." Shura said simply. "Survival of the fittest. Those who are weak will be left behind. And demigods are among those who are left behind."

"You don't see me begging for my life do you?" Thalia countered.

"Like I said, the strong will survive." Shura said. "And your group of demigods are indeed strong."

"But why the genocide? Can't we just live in peace?" Percy asked.

Shura glared at Percy. "Deep within the human conscience lies an innate desire for conflict."

"What, you're here to give me a psychology lesson?"

"I'm telling you that when the world discovers the existence of a higher being, war is inevitable. Humans desire the spot at the top of the food chain and you guys are in the way."

"Maybe I should just smite you where you stand." Artemis snarled. "Get rid of everyone involved."

Shura gave her an innocent and yet cold smile. "And what will you do then? Will you rule over them with fear? You've lived through human history. What happens when someone rules using fear? You're Greek, you should know what happened. You rebelled when Zeus ruled using fear. What do you think will happen when it comes to mortals?"

"So you want to burn down the world for the sake of human evolution?"

"Like I said, it's a reevaluation." Shura said. "The strong will live. We're overdue for another human extinction event. The great flood, another world war, another world catastrophe. This was bound to happen."

"That doesn't justify killing thousands of mortals and spirits." Piper added.

"I was taking an initiative." Shura stepped forward. "What happens when there are no more threats nor deities in the mythological world? Like I said, within humans is the innate desire for conflict. It was only a matter of time before your attention turned towards us."

Percy couldn't believe what he was hearing. "So you thought we were going to attack humans?"

"Eventually." Shura said.

"Do you not realize that we have saved the world multiple times? Without even asking for your help or gratitude?" Percy asked. "We protected you for extinction and this is the thanks we get?"

"That's your group." Shura snarled. "What of other demigods? Other people with gifts from the gods? They're not like you. They have different agendas. Different goals. Even Kronos got an army of demigods intent on destroying the Western civilization. What makes you think there won't be any demigods with similar intentions? Can you really guarantee our safety then?"

Percy wanted to argue, but Shura made a good point.

"Even if you could guarantee our safety, that's just you, Perseus." Shura stepped closer to Percy. "What of your allies? Are they on board with your decision? I've massacred hundreds of your kind and those affiliated with you. They'll want vengeance. They want blood. They want my head. What will happen when they find out you've agreed to a truce? You know first hand what unfulfilled vengeance will do to someone."

Percy was hoping that Shura would stop making sense. He was losing ground for arguments.

"So that's it?" Piper stepped in. "You'll just kill us off one by one until there's none of us left?"

"Depends." Shura said. "Are you strong enough?"

"I'll show you 'strong'." Thalia snapped. She drew her bow and aimed straight at Shura's head before Percy could stop her.

Shura is more capable than Percy realized as he leaned his head slightly and the arrow missed him by an inch.

"Don't do that." Shura said coldly.

"How do you know so much about us and demigod history?" Carter asked.

Shura grinned. "Let's just say I have good connections." Shura turned around and was about to exit the room before he turned around one last time. "I look forward to our battle." The air seemed to shimmer around him before he disappeared completely.

Percy didn't realize how tense he was until Shura was finally gone. He relaxed his shoulders and took a deep breath.

"He's trouble." Artemis said.

"Yeah, we noticed." Piper said.

"You don't understand." Artemis said. Her face was paler than usual. "There's something about him . . ." Artemis shook her head. "I need to consult Athena for this. I can't be too sure just yet."

"What do you mean?" Percy asked.

"Shura. There's something about him." Artemis said. "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you any further until I'm sure."

Artemis looked shaken up, which was unusual. Artemis was usually composed and calm, but she looked like she'd seen a ghost.

"I must return to Olympus. I will come back when I have news. Until then, be wary of him. He's not . . . normal. Try not to engage him until I come back."

Everyone understood. Artemis nodded back before she flashed away, leaving only the demigods in the room.

"So, who's hungry?" Percy asked weakly with a smile.